Non-reducing oligosaccharide with neotrehalose structure, and its production and uses

Abstract

Disclosed is a novel non-reducing oligosaccharide with neotrehalose structure represented by the general formula as shown by: ##STR1## The oligosaccharide is obtainable by exposing an aqueous solution containing neotrehalose to a saccharide-transferring enzyme, and has a superior stability, reduced sweetness, appropriate viscosity, no susceptibility to crystallization and less fermentability. These features make it very useful in various compositions including foods, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for producing a non-reducing oligosaccharide having the formula: ##STR7## where "n" and "m" are 0 or more integers, and their total number (n+m) is at least 1 said method comprising:   (a) exposing an aqueous solution which contains neotrehalose and an α-glucosyl saccharide either to the action of a saccharide-transferring enzyme or to the action of a saccharide-transferring enzyme and also a hydrolase in this order to form said non-reducing oligosaccharide; and   (b) recovering said non-reducing oligosaccharide.   
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1, wherein said saccharide-transferring enzyme is cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase or α-amylase. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1, wherein the step (a) contains a step of: (a) applying a saccharide mixture solution, which contains said non-reducing oligosaccharide along with other saccharide(s) obtained in the step (a), to a column chromatography using either a strongly-acid cation exchange resin or an octadecyl silica gel; and   (b) recovering the resultant non-reducing oligosaccharide-rich fraction.   
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1, wherein said non-reducing oligosaccharide is one or more members selected from the group consisting of β-D-maltosyl α-D-glucoside, α-D-maltosyl β-D-glucoside, β-D-maltotriosyl α-D-glucoside, α-D-maltotriosyl β-D-glucoside and β-D-maltosyl α-D-maltoside.